There are only a handful of cars in existence today that can actually claim to be true icons. Cars that, when released to the public, set the automotive world on its ear. These cars are rare, expensive and have stood the test of time to secure a place in history. Back in 1954 Mercedes-Benz created the 300SL or the Gullwing as most people have come to know it. It has a shape that looks as fresh today as it did 56 years ago. Back then the Gullwing rewrote the rule book for what a true sports car really was, as it gave their owners performance that had yet to be seen in this type of motorcar. Today, in 2010 Mercedes-Benz has released the new SLS, a car that pays homage to the original, but doesn’t quite live up to the groundbreaking status of its forefather. Both cars are expensive, both are great performers, but in the end there can truly be only one icon. I know which one I’d like to have in my garage, but how about you.

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Well, yes of course you can’t really replace an icon, but there’s something to be said for choosing something that’s smarter than an icon, especially if it’s something you intend to actually drive, rather than, say, admire in a garage or personal showroom.

A friend of mine once owned a 1961 Bentley S2 that he preferred to look at rather than actually drive (what with all the mechanical costs associated with maintaining a classic car), and after a consult with a life-coach sort of fellow, Richard Easton, he went and switched up to smarter, modern saloon.

Took his date on a track day, had the time of his life. I’d think it worked out for the positive, even if he had to take his icon out to the back of the shed, so to speak.

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